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Bull TerrierEnglish Bull Terrier ~ Varkhond ~ Pig Dog

Family: Canidae

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Piglet - A Brindle & White English Bull TerrierCanis lupus familiarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Donna Nun4u

     Like many types of Terriers, the Border Terrier is extremely skilled at hunting small game!

     The Bull Terrier is a terrier breed developed in England in the 1800's. It was developed from crosses that included the New English Bulldog, the Spanish Pointer, and a couple of types of terriers, the English White Terrier and the Staffordshire Terrier. The resulting breed was used as a fighter, and then later on as a guard dog, herder, and rat hunter. A half sized variation of this breed is the Miniature Bull Terrier.

     Today's Bull Terrier is gentle, fun-loving and courageous. It needs lots of human companionship, and loves to give and receive affection. This breed makes a wonderful pet for active and attentive families. The Bull Terrier can be trained as a watchdog, but it tends to be non-aggressive toward humans unless its family is seriously threatened. Good socialization as a puppy is needed for it to get along with other pets.

     When selecting a Bull Terrier, a primary concern is deafness. This is most common in solid white dogs. Other problems to look for include skin allergies, slipped patella, and obsessive compulsive behavior such as tail chasing.

Common Name(s)      Bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Varkhond, and Pig Dog

Breed Type      The Bull Terrier is a terrier breed with a quite distinctive look. Originally bred as a fighter, the Bull Terrier has become more suitable as a pet over the years. The Bull Terrier is best suited to warm climates.

Background      The Bull Terrier is an English breed. It was developed in the 1800s, originating with a cross between an English White Terrier and a New English Bulldog. Other breeds, including the Staffordshire Terrier and the Spanish Pointer, were subsequently added to the mix. The resulting breed was employed as a fighter, and later on as a guard dog, herder, and rat hunter. A variation of the breed is the Miniature Bull Terrier, which is about half the size of the Standard Bull Terrier.

Description      Bull Terriers have muscular bodies and distinctive egg-shaped heads. Their eyes are close-set, triangular, small and dark, and their ears are triangular and erect. The coat is short, dense and smooth, and comes in white, black, brindle, red, fawn and tri-color.
Standard Bull Terriers average 20 to 24 inches tall and weigh 45 to 80 pounds. Miniature Bull Terriers are 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh 24 to 33 pounds.

Care and Feeding      Bull Terriers thrive on a diet that includes beef, wheat, potatoes, and cabbage. Supplementing with oils can help improve their coats. Bull Terriers are very easy to groom. As-needed combing and brushing are sufficient. Removing loose hair regularly with a grooming glove when shedding will help keep hair off of the carpet and furniture.
     Bull Terriers need yearly checkups to maintain good health. Vaccinations are due as follows:

• 6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
• 10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
• 14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
• Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster
  

     Bull Terriers shed twice a year. During this time, regular vacuuming of carpet and furniture is essential. This breed is prone to allergies, especially to insect bites, so keeping insects to a minimum is important.

Housing Your Dog      The Bull Terrier can be kept indoors in small spaces as long as it gets enough exercise. A small yard is sufficient to keep them happy. This breed prefers warm temperatures.

Social Behaviors      Bull Terriers are sociable with humans and do well with children as long as they are respectful. Males tend to be aggressive toward other males, but this can be minimized by having the dog neutered. Bull Terriers of the opposite sex get along well, and females can learn to live with one another peacefully if they are well socialized. Bull Terriers should not be trusted with non-canine pets.

Handling and Training      The Bull Terrier is a willful dog, and may be hard to train. Firmness is essential. Proper socialization is also a must if the dog is to get along with other pets.

Activities      Bull Terriers need plenty of exercise, but it is important not to overwork them when they are puppies. This could cause muscle strains. Adult dogs need long daily walks and play sessions. Older dogs also need exercise, but it should be done in several small sessions each day.

Breeding/Reproduction      Bull Terriers have an average of five puppies. When selecting a mate for your Bull Terrier, check bloodlines for slipped patella and deafness.

Common Health Problems      Male Bull Terriers may have too much testosterone, which could cause aggressive behavior. This can be remedied by neutering them. Other common problems are zinc deficiency, obsessive compulsive behavior, and slipped patella.

Availability      Bull Terriers are fairly easy to find in most areas. Prices are most often between $1,000 and $2,000.

References "Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier", Dog Breed Info Center, Copyright 1998-2008
Cusick, William D., "What to Feed a Bull Terrier", Referenced online, 2008
"Bull Terrier Puppies for Sale", Copyright PuppyFind.com, LLC, Referenced online, 2008
"Bull Terrier", Wikipedia, Copyright 2008

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Latest Comments
Your Puppy may have Demedex, it's a form of mange that is genetic and can be very tough to get rid of. My pitbull terrier had it and it was terrible! My vet here in the USA actually told me to use Promeris flea treatment which studies had found had a side effect of curing the demedex. It goes on once a month on the back of the neck like Frontline and it cured my dogs problem. Hope maybe this helps! em 2009-10-13
Hello, Have you tried a raw food diet? One of my dogs had sever allergies. When I put him on a raw food diet, his allergies subsided jackie daniels 2009-08-26
How awful for you and your dog to have to go through this for 2 years. Have you discussed the problem with Bullies in Need, the British rescue group? They are incredibly experienced with the breed and I recently read something on their website about a bullie who was saved from an almost terminal allergy problem, much as you're describing. Has to be worth a look at their site, bulliesinneed. org. uk or dropping them an email. Hope you get through this and good luck. mitch 2009-08-17
He might just have a skin complaint, what has the vet said about it? Another thing, albino animals have red eyes not green, this is because they have a thin layer of blood vessels on their eye, which just shows up at red. Hope everyting turns out ok! Anonymous 2009-03-14
I have a white male english bull terrier, I think he's albino because he has green eyes and a pink nose. My issue is with his skin, it's pink, hot, inflamed, smells, and is mostly on his belly, back of ears, and paws. I've tried everything to clear it up: regular vet, homeopathic vet, benadryl, tea tree oil, different lotions and shampoos, mange dips. Please help, considering putting him down so he doesn't have to suffer with the discomfort any longer. He's only 2 yrs old, we've been dealing with this his whole life, and I Love him so much! Thanks TK TK 2009-02-11

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